Springfield Church
Policy for Responding to Domestic Abuse
We are committed to promoting and supporting environments
which:
• ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse
• protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm
• recognise equality amongst people and within relationships
• enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to openly and
consistently.
We recognise that:
• all forms of domestic abuse causedamage to the survivor and express an
imbalance of power in the relationship
• all survivors (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious
belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection
from all types of harm or abuse
• domestic abuse can occur in all communities
• domestic abuse may be a single incident, but is usually a systematic,
repeated pattern which escalates in severity and frequency
• domestic abuse, if witnessed or overheard by a child, is a form of child
abuse by the perpetrator of the abusive behaviour
• working in partnership with children, adults and other agencies is
essential in promoting the welfare of any child or adult suffering abuse.
We will endeavour to respond to domestic abuse by:
In all our activities • valuing, listening to and respecting both survivors and perpetrators of
domestic abuse
In our publicity • raising awarenessabout other agencies, support services, resources and
expertise, through providing information in public areas of relevance to
survivors, children and perpetrators of domestic abuse

When concerns are raised • ensuring that those who have experienced abuse can find safety and
informed help
• working with the appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation
into domestic abuse, including when allegations are made against a
member of the church community
In our care • ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any
child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse
• identifying and outlining the appropriate relationship of those with
pastoral care responsibilities with both survivors and perpetrators of
domestic abuse.
We are committed to reviewing our policy and procedures annually.

Safeguarding policy domestic abuse

We will endeavour to respond to domestic abuse by: In all our activities - • valuing, listening to and respecting both survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse In our publicity - • raising awarenessabout other agencies, support services, resources and expertise, through providing information in public areas of relevance to survivors, children and perpetrators of domestic abuse We are committed to reviewing our policy and procedures annually.